Track's plans for Concord move on hold as casino plans in works

MONTICELLO — Monticello Raceway may not be moving to the old Concord resort site, after all.

BY STEVE ISRAEL

MONTICELLO — Monticello Raceway may not be moving to the old Concord resort site, after all.

For years, the owners of the Raceway said they would move the harness track to their planned $600 million resort at the old Concord hotel just outside Monticello. Empire Resorts even gained final site plan approval for the project in July. Empire also applied to the Sullivan County Industrial Development Agency for tax breaks based on that plan.

But then the state passed a law allowing four upstate casinos — two of which could land in the Catskills. By all accounts, the proposed Empire Resorts/EPR Properties casino at the Concord is a frontrunner for one of those slots.

Now Empire officials aren't sure whether they'll move the Raceway to the 1,500-acre site of the old Concord, where they also plan a water park, or keep it at its current site.

They're waiting for the state to release details of requirements for the casino proposals later this month.

"While the (state law allowing casinos) does not require us to build a new track, we are awaiting clarification pursuant to the New York State Gaming Commission Request for Application process to better understand if a new harness track may be required," said Charlie Degliomini, Executive Vice President for Empire Resorts/Monticello Casino & Raceway.

"We have been operating harness racing since 1958, and in any scenario remain committed to improving, supporting and operating harness racing, either at our new location if we are a successful bidder, or at the current Monticello Raceway."

So while Empire waits for that clarification — and is embroiled in a bitter contract dispute with the Monticello Raceway horsemen — its application to the IDA for tax breaks beyond what it's already paying remains the same.

If Empire's proposal for a resort with a harness track changes, the IDA will examine that new application.

"If they amend their application, then we would have to review that amendment," said IDA lawyer Walter Garigliano.